Thomas Frank has found himself dealing with another unwanted distraction after Tottenham Hotspur’s heavy 3–0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, this time involving the reaction of Djed Spence to being substituted.
On a difficult afternoon at the City Ground, emotions were clearly running high, and the frustration inside the Spurs camp was there for all to see.
Tottenham’s display against Forest was once again far below the level expected from a club with their ambition. While it might be tempting to label it as their worst showing of the season, the truth is that it was simply another entry on a growing list of performances where Spurs struggled to compete, create chances, or impose themselves on the game.
For Frank, who is already under pressure to steady the team and restore confidence, the incident involving Spence has only added to his workload.
Spence, who has endured a mixed season, did not hide his feelings when his number went up just before the hour mark. With Tottenham chasing the game and searching for answers, Frank decided to replace the full-back with Ben Davies in the 58th minute.
The decision was clearly not well received. According to reports, Spence showed his anger as he made his way to the bench, throwing his jacket to the ground in a visible display of frustration.
This is not the first time Spence’s body language has come under scrutiny. Earlier in the season, following a home defeat to Chelsea, the England international was seen ignoring Frank at full-time, an incident that sparked discussion about his attitude and relationship with the manager.
Sunday’s episode has once again placed the spotlight on the defender, raising questions about how he is coping with a challenging campaign and the demands being placed on him.
After the match, Frank was asked directly about Spence’s reaction at the City Ground. The Tottenham boss insisted that he had not witnessed the incident himself, but made it clear that he would review what happened.
His response was calm and measured, reflecting a manager keen to understand the root of the issue rather than react emotionally.
Frank explained that there could be several reasons behind such a response. He suggested that Spence may have been unhappy with his own performance, disappointed with how the team was playing, or simply frustrated at being taken off during a moment when Spurs were desperate for a breakthrough. Rather than jumping to conclusions, Frank said he plans to speak to the player directly to gain clarity.
That approach sums up the position Frank finds himself in at Tottenham. Results have been inconsistent, performances have lacked spark, and confidence appears fragile across the squad.
In that environment, frustration can easily boil over, especially for players who feel they are not meeting expectations, either their own or the club’s. Managing those emotions is now just as important as fixing the tactical issues on the pitch.
For Spence, the situation is delicate. At 25, he should be entering his peak years, but his time at Tottenham has been stop-start, with injuries, form, and competition for places all playing a part. Moments like this, however, risk overshadowing his efforts and drawing attention away from footballing matters.
Visible displays of anger can be understood in the heat of the moment, but they also invite scrutiny, particularly at a club where patience is already wearing thin.
Frank will be hoping to draw a line under the incident quickly. Open communication between manager and player will be key, especially as Tottenham prepare for a run of important fixtures. With the season still very much alive and the league table tightly packed, Spurs cannot afford distractions that disrupt focus or unity within the squad.
Ultimately, this episode reflects a team under strain. Losing heavily, struggling for rhythm, and falling short of expectations takes its toll on everyone involved. How Frank handles situations like this will say a lot about his leadership and his ability to guide Tottenham through a challenging period.
For now, the priority will be restoring calm, reinforcing standards, and ensuring that frustration is channelled in the right way as Spurs look to find some much-needed stability.
